Source: USDA FoodData Central · Cheese, Frozen, Cooked · Data verified by CaloriesCalc
* % Daily Value based on a 2,000 kcal diet.
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value | Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sodium | 598mg | 26% | |
| Calcium | 189mg | 18% | |
| Iron | 2.2mg | 12% | |
| Phosphorus | 174mg | 14% | |
| Riboflavin | 0.19mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 172mg | 4% | |
| Vitamin A | 74µg | 8% | |
| Niacin | 3.5mg | 22% | |
| Zinc | 1.2mg | 11% | |
| Magnesium | 22mg | 5% |
| Weight | Calories | Protein | Net Carbs | Fat |
|---|
Cheese pizza, regular crust (USDA). Thin crust: ~220 kcal/100g. Deep dish: ~300 kcal/100g. Pepperoni adds ~50 kcal/slice. High sodium (598mg/100g). GI ~60 for white crust. Whole wheat crust reduces GI to ~45.
Pizza calorie content ranges from ~200 kcal/100g (thin crust veggie) to ~340 kcal/100g (deep-dish stuffed crust meat). The main variables are: crust thickness (60% of base calories), cheese amount, and topping choice. A pepperoni slice has ~50 more kcal than plain cheese. Stuffed crust adds ~90 kcal per slice. Tracking pizza calories requires knowing the specific type.
At 598mg sodium per 100g, two slices of pizza provide ~1,280mg — more than half the daily recommended limit (2,300mg). The sodium comes from cheese (~400mg/100g cheddar), cured meat toppings, and dough. Regular pizza consumption is one of the leading sources of excess dietary sodium in Western diets, contributing to hypertension risk. Homemade pizza with less cheese and salt reduces sodium by 40-60%.
Pizza's tomato sauce is a meaningful source of lycopene — a carotenoid antioxidant. Cooking tomatoes increases lycopene bioavailability by 35%. Regular lycopene intake is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk and may support cardiovascular health. A slice provides ~3-5mg of lycopene — the amount shown beneficial in research. This is a genuine nutritional positive of pizza.
The gap between a 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' pizza is enormous. Thin crust vegetable pizza: ~220 kcal, 450mg sodium/100g. Deep-dish pepperoni: ~330 kcal, 850mg sodium/100g. Choosing thin crust, loading vegetables, and limiting cheese can make pizza a reasonable meal within a balanced diet.
Nutrition values from USDA FoodData Central. Not medical advice.